Hilton Honors American Express Card
7X Hilton Points With No Annual Fee
The Hilton Honors American Express Card delivers 7X points at Hilton properties, 5X at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations, and 3X on everything else—all with no annual fee. Automatic Silver Elite status unlocks 20% bonus points on stays and fifth-night-free awards, making this the strongest entry into Hilton's 8,000+ property portfolio.
- Annual Fee
- $0
- points · Welcome Bonus
- 70,000
- Highest rate (conditional)
- Up to 7X (Hilton)
Terms checked against the issuer on October 10, 2026
At a Glance
- Annual Fee
- $0
- Authorized User Fee
- $0
- Foreign Transaction Fee
- $0
- Network
- Amex Standard
- Rewards Currency
- Hilton Honors
- Point Valuation
- 0.4–0.4 cpp (mid: 0.4)
- Credit Required
- Good to Excellent
Welcome Offer
70,000
points
Spend $2,000 in the first 6 months
Earn 70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points and a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases within your first 6 months of Card Membership. The offer ends 1/13/2027.
Earning Rates
- 7X
Hilton
7 total card points per $1 (3 base plus 4 additional) on eligible charges directly with Hilton portfolio properties. Advance bookings must use a Hilton-operated reservation channel; eligible on-property incidentals must be charged to the room and paid with the card at checkout. Hotel membership points are separate.
- 5X
Dining
5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points at U.S. restaurants
- 5X
Grocery Stores
5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points at U.S. supermarkets
- 5X
Gas Stations
5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points at U.S. gas stations
- 3X
All Other
3x Hilton Honors points on all other eligible purchases
Earning Scenarios
7X Points at Hilton
A $200/night Hilton stay earns 1,400 points per night—worth $7 toward your next booking.
5X Points on Dining
Spending $500/month on dining earns 2,500 points monthly—30,000 points per year, enough for a free night.
5X Points on Groceries
A $600/month grocery budget earns 3,000 points monthly—36,000 points per year toward Hilton stays.
3X Points on Everything Else
Even everyday purchases at 3X outpace most no-annual-fee cards' base rates.
Benefits & Perks
Travel Benefits
4 perksElite Status
Car Rental
General Travel
Elite Status & Memberships
Fast track to top-tier perks
Automatic Hilton Honors Silver Elite Status
Enjoy Silver Elite status with 20% bonus points and priority late checkout
Insurance & Protections
3 protectionsZero liability protection on fraudulent charges
You're not responsible for unauthorized charges. Amex covers 100% of fraudulent transactions when reported promptly.
Up to $1,000 per item against damage or theft
$1,000
Reimbursement for purchases damaged, stolen, or lost within 90 days. Up to $1,000/item, $50,000 annual max.
Car rental insurance (secondary coverage)
secondary
Coverage for damage or theft of rental vehicles when you decline the rental agency's insurance
Dining Out
5x at restaurants
Hilton Honors
≈$2 in value on a $100 dinner, at our valuation of 0.4¢ per point
No annual fee
Explore 5,512 New York restaurants with this cardStack a dining program
Rakuten Dining
5% back at 20,618 participating restaurants, on top of this card's 5x, once you join and link this card.
+$5
cash back, or ≈$5.50 as points
More on a $100 dinner
Program & Transfers
Hilton Honors
More ways to earn. More ways to stay.
Hilton Honors is one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programs, with over 9,000 properties across 25 brands in 138 countries. The program offers a straightforward earning structure of 10 points per dollar at most brands, with elite members earning up to 120% bonus points on top of base earnings. Members earn points on eligible stays and can redeem for free night awards starting at 5,000 points, with dynamic pricing based on room rates. The fifth night free benefit on standard award stays of 5+ nights offers exceptional value, effectively a 20% discount on longer redemptions. The program features five elite tiers (Member, Silver, Gold, Diamond, and Diamond Reserve) with benefits including room upgrades, executive lounge access, free breakfast (Gold and above), and milestone bonuses. Elite status can be earned through paid nights, stays, or qualifying spend, with credit card holders receiving automatic Gold or Diamond status.
Program Ratings
Sweet Spots — Best Redemptions
| Route / Property | Points | Cabin/Type | Value / Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi | 150,000 | — | — |
| Conrad Maldives Rangali Island | 120,000 | — | — |
| Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal | 120,000 | — | — |
| Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort | 110,000 | — | — |
| Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills | 120,000 | — | — |
| Conrad Algarve | 59,000 | — | — |
| Roku Kyoto, LXR | 70,000 | — | — |
| Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island | 100,000 | — | — |
| Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Paraiso, Mexico | 20,000 | — | — |
| Hilton Honors Experiences (Luxury Spa/Dining) | 10,000 | — | — |
| Canopy by Hilton (Select European Properties) | 50,000 | — | — |
Reviews & Analysis
Third-Party Rankings & Ratings
4 sourcesHow It Compares
The strongest no-annual-fee hotel card for Hilton loyalists. 7X/5X/3X earning structure beats most fee-free competitors. Silver status with fifth-night-free awards and $20K path to Gold. Limited by Hilton-locked points and Silver-only status compared to the $150 Surpass (auto Gold) or $550 Aspire (auto Diamond).
Pros and Cons
Pros
- +No annual fee ever
- +Automatic Hilton Silver status with 20% bonus points and late checkout
- +Path to Gold status after $20,000 annual spend
- +Solid 7X earning at Hilton properties, 5X at restaurants/supermarkets/gas
- +No foreign transaction fees
- +Free authorized users
- +Basic Amex benefits including purchase protection and extended warranty
Cons
- -Only Silver status (lower than Surpass/Aspire Gold grants)
- -Lower earn rates than premium Hilton cards (7X vs 12X at Hilton)
- -No annual credits or free night rewards
- -Points locked to Hilton with no transfer flexibility
- -Amex network less accepted internationally than Visa/Mastercard
- -$20,000 spend required to earn Gold status (easier to just get Surpass)
- -No airport lounge access
Who It's Best For
Best For
- Budget-conscious travelers who stay at Hilton occasionally
- Those new to Hilton Honors who want to start earning points without commitment
- Travelers seeking a no-annual-fee hotel card with automatic elite status
- High spenders who can reach Gold status through $20,000 annual spend
Not Ideal For
- Frequent Hilton guests who would benefit more from Gold status on the Surpass
- Travelers who want premium hotel benefits like lounge access or free nights
- Those seeking flexible transfer partner rewards programs
- International travelers who need better Amex acceptance
The Math: Is $0 Worth It?
First-year value includes $280 welcome bonus
Credit Utilization (60%)
Excludes earning value, lounge access, insurance, and elite status
Total Value Captured
$0
Annual Fee
-$0
Net Annual Value
+$0
Details & Terms
Payment Terms
| Purchase APR | 19.74%–28.74% (Variable) |
| Cash Advance APR | 29.99% (Variable) |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 |
| Authorized User Fee | $0 |
FAQs
How much are Hilton Honors points worth?
Hilton Honors points are valued at approximately 0.4-0.7 cents each, depending on redemption. Standard rooms average 0.5 cpp, while luxury properties and experiences can exceed 2 cpp. Dynamic pricing means value varies significantly by property and date.
Do Hilton Honors points expire?
Yes, Hilton Honors points expire after 24 months of account inactivity. Any qualifying activity (stays, points earning, or card usage) resets the 24-month clock. Holding an active Hilton Honors credit card keeps your account active.
Does the fifth night free apply to all stays?
The fifth night free benefit applies only to Silver elite members and above on standard room reward stays of 5+ consecutive nights booked entirely with points. Premium room awards, paid stays, and paid+points bookings do not qualify.
Can I earn elite status from a credit card?
Yes. The Hilton Honors Surpass and Business cards grant automatic Gold status (25 elite nights, 80% bonus points). The Hilton Honors Aspire card grants automatic Diamond status (50 elite nights, 100% bonus points). These cards also provide elite night credits toward higher tiers.
Can I transfer Hilton Honors points?
Hilton Honors points can be transferred to other member accounts through pooling (max 11 members) or to most American Express Membership Rewards cards at a 2:1 ratio (2 Hilton points = 1 Membership Rewards point). New members must wait 30 days before using pooling.
What are Hilton Honors brands?
Hilton operates 24 brands including luxury (Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, LXR), upper-midscale (Canopy, Signia, DoubleTree), midscale (Hilton, Curio), and economy (Hampton, Tru, Spark). All brands participate in Hilton Honors earning and elite benefits.
How does dynamic pricing work?
Hilton uses dynamic award pricing where nightly point costs adjust based on market demand and cash rates. Standard room awards currently cap at 150,000 points/night. Premium room awards on unavailable dates can exceed 1 million points and should generally be avoided.
Is booking direct required for points earning?
Yes. Booking through third-party travel agencies (Expedia, Booking.com, etc.) does not earn Hilton Honors points or elite night credits. You must book through Hilton.com, the Hilton Honors app, or call the direct reservations line.
Media & Resources
Video Reviews
8 videosHILTON HONORS American Express Card Review! (No annual fee travel cards)
World of Hyatt vs Hilton Honors Credit Card
Amex Hilton Honors Review: Should You Get It?
Hilton Honors Credit Card Review: Is it Worth It? Pros & Cons
American Express Hilton Honors Review: Rare No Annual Fee Hotel Card
HILTON HONORS American Express Card - FULL REVIEW
AMEX Hilton Honors Card Review 2022
Third-Party Articles & Reviews
Hilton Honors American Express Card 2026 Review
U.S. News rates the Hilton Honors Amex 4.5/5 and evaluates whether the no-annual-fee card is right for you.
Marriott Bonvoy Bold vs. Hilton Honors American Express Card: Comparing hotel cards with no annual fee
Head-to-head comparison between two popular no-annual-fee hotel credit cards to help you decide which is best for your travel style.
5 reasons you should get the no-annual-fee Hilton Honors Amex Card
TPG highlights five compelling reasons to consider the base Hilton Honors Amex, including the generous welcome offer and bonus categories.
Hilton Honors Amex Card review: Solid perks for no annual fee
TPG reviews the base Hilton Honors Amex card's welcome offer, earning rates, and complimentary Silver status benefits.
The Hilton Honors American Express Card review: Automatic elite status and no annual fee
CNBC Select breaks down how to maximize the Hilton Honors Amex card's welcome bonus and complimentary Silver status.
Hilton Honors American Express Card Review 2025
Daily Drop's comprehensive review covering the no-annual-fee Hilton card's earning structure, benefits, and comparison to other hotel cards.
Hilton Honors Credit Card Review: No-Fee Value
LendingTree analyzes the value proposition of the Hilton Honors Amex's complimentary Silver status and generous everyday earning rates.
Hilton Honors American Express Card Review
CreditCards.com provides an in-depth review of the Hilton Honors Amex's rewards structure, elite status benefits, and redemption options.
Card Design
Evidence Sources
| Source | Verified | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer Terms | Issuer Terms: Multiple card facts | |
| American Express | — | American Express |
| American Express | American Express: Earn rates | |
| Issuer Page | Issuer Page: Multiple card facts | |
| Hilton Credit Cards | — | Hilton Credit Cards |
| Usnews Review | — | Usnews Review |
| CardRatings | — | CardRatings: Bonus categories |
| RewardsCC API | — | RewardsCC API |
| Issuer Page | Issuer Page: Welcome offer | |
| Issuer Page | Issuer Page: Cobrand | |
| Issuer Page | Issuer Page: Apr | |
| Issuer Page | Issuer Page: Apr | |
| American Express | American Express: Multiple card facts |
Top brands for this card
Brands where this card's earn-rate structure makes it a strong choice. Open a brand for the full ranked list.
